"Infrastructure is key," Daley said. "All these things will put blue- and white-collar people back to work."

On the mayor's wish list was filling a $50 million deficit for the O'Hare construction project. Without that money, Daley said, the finish date for the airport's expansion would slip from the current target of 2014.

The mayor also said he was looking for $40 million for reconstruction of arterial streets -- money that Daley said the city used to get from the state government but was withdrawn in the past six years.

Daley said money for education was one of the most important elements of the package, and it would allow the city to accelerate its plan to modernize Chicago's public schools. Math, science and technology facilities at the city's public schools would be emphasized.

It was the most detail Daley has provided so far on his federal wishlist and the first time he has specifically talked about dollar amounts he wants for projects. Last week the mayor declined to release details of his request, saying the media would just rip it apart.

The mayor said he and his staff would release a list of projects the city was pursuing, and their costs, soon.